Hydraulically controlled cement retainer



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HYDEAULICALLY NTEOLLED CEMENT RETAINER original Led March 26, 1935 2sheets-sheet 1 ATTGRNEY June 2l, 1938. T. M. HAGAN ET Al.

I I'IIYDRAULICALLY CONTROLLED CEMENT RETAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 OriginalFiled March 26, 1935 Patented June 2l, 1938 UNITED s'rA'rlas Parr-:NTOFFICE 2,121,050 HYDRAULICALLY `CONTROLLED CEMENT y RETAINER CaliforniaApplication March 26, 1935, serial No. 13,064

l Renewed October 7, 1937 32 Claims.

This invention relates to appliances commonly known as cement retainerswhich are utilized'in packing oi, cementing and repressuring operationsin deep oil wells.

. It is the principal object of the present inven tion to provide anefficient tool of the character referred to` which may be safely run-#inandv the casing of a deep well and so set at any desired pointthereinthat it will resist dislodgment bypressures in the casing either. aboveor below the device; which tool may be quickly set in the casing by aminimum of operations.

In general, the device consists of a packer-like device which may berun-in the hole 'at the lower end of a string of tubing. This packer istted with operative slips for rmly anchoring it to the surroundingcasing so that it will resist dislodgement either from pressures aboveor pressures'.`

below. The packer is iitted with an expansible packing or sealingelementfor sealing oil the space between the lexterior of the device and thecasing wall. The slips or anchoring means and the packing element areoperated byiluid pressure and b y manipulating therunning-in tubing atthe derrick 11001;;l The tool may be utilized in cementing-oil a /waterformation at any level above the botto of the bore or form a cement vseal between theLbore and casing throughout the.

entire length ofi the casing. l The tool is also 30 capable of eiiicientuse in packing-off or bridging the casing at any point therealong.

The invention is exemplied in the following description and illustratedby way of example in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through a portion of 0.a wellcasing and disclosing our improved apparatus positioned therein withtheparts in the positions they assume when the device is being run-in' inthe casing.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but dis- -closing one set ofslips in trippedtposition.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 but -showing the parts of thepacker in the position they assume when the packer is fully set in thecasing.

, Figure 4 is a view the same as Figure 3 except the bridgeball valve isshown in position s0 that y the device will act as a bridge plug.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in section disl 50 closing a modifiedform of actuating mechanism for tripping one set of `slips.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on 55 on line l-l'oiFigure 3.. i

(Cl. 16B-13) Referring more particularly to the accompany-A ingdrawings, I0 indicates a packer or what is commonly known as a cementretainer. 'Ihis device is generally cylindrical in cross section and ofan overall external diameter just slightly less,

when its parts are in unset position, than the internal diameter of thewell casing into which it is to be run and set. The packer or cementrevtainer I Il includes an elongated hollow cylindrical body Il,therlower end of which is formed with'la concentric main circulatingport I2 surrounded by a valve seat I4.

Cooperating with this valve seat to control the ow of fluid upwardlyinto the body I I from below the same is a downwardly opening backpressure valve. I5 of the pvppet type. This valve is iltted with a valvestem I6 which extends vertically upward into the body II and isreciprocably mounted in a guide Il formed centrally of a spider I8formed integrally with or secured within the body II. -An expansionspring` I9 is arranged between the guide I1 and an enlarged head Isa.formed on the upper extremity ofthe valve stem I 6. The spring I 9ynormally tends to maintain the valve I 5 seated on the seat I4, therebyclosing the main circulating vport l2. It'is obvious, howl ever, thatthe valve I5 may be opened by uid pressure from within the body when thesame exceeds the pressure in the casing below the packer IIJ.

It will be noticed that the body I I is hollow and is formed with alower bore 20 and an upper bore 2I. These two are connected by anintermediate bore 22 which is reduced in diameter with respect to theupper and lower bores 2| and 20. A bridging valve seat 23 is formed atthe junction between the upper bore 2| and the intermediate bore 22, thepurpose of this seat will'be hereinafter described.

Reciprocably mounted inthe intermediate bore 22 is a sleeve 24 which hasa passageway 25 formed co-axially therethrough. At its upper end thesleeve 24 is formed with a trip valve seat 26 to receive a ball tripvalve 21 as shown in Figure 2. Depending from the lower end of thelsleeve 24 are spaced legs 28 which connect the sleeve 24 to a circulartrunnion 29. This trunnion 29 is connected to the head IBa by means of ashear pin 30. Due to the connection between the sleeve 24 and the valvestem I6, the valve spring I9 constantly tends to maintain'the sleeve `24in its uppermost position.

When the packer is assembled for running-in, it is desirable to` holdthe valve I5 open so that iluid may pass freely upwardly through thebody Il. To maintain the valve in this open position we provide a stoppin 3| y whichis securedin the body Il and against which the upper endof the sleeve 24 abuts. Such engagement prevents the valve l5 fromentirely closing so that when the plug is run-in the casing, it may bemoved up and down therein without causing a swabbing action. The sleeve24 is also secured to the body Il by a shear pin 32 which is sheared torelease the sleeve and render it ineiective to hold the valve I5 openafter the packer has been set in the casing.

A packer sleeve 33 formed of rubber or any other suitable pliablematerial is arranged exteriorly on the body ll and is anchored at itslower end to a xed ring 34 which is bolted or otherwise secured to anannular flange 35 circumscribing the lower end of the body Il. The upperend of the packer sleeve 33 is anchored to a sliding ring 36 slidablyfitting the exterior of the body Il. This sliding ring 36 is formed withan interior annular groove 36a into which is tted a spring latch ring31. When the packing sleeve 33 is compressed into sealing position asshown in Figure 3, this latch ring engages annular latching grooves 36hon the body Il to latch the sleeve 33 in sealing position.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, it will be seen thatabove the packer sleeve 33 the body 'Il is provided with a slip sleeve38. is capable of reclprocation on the exterior surface of the body Il.The exterior of the slip sleeve 38 is formed with a plurality ofvertically arranged slip sockets 39 which are spaced equal distancesapart about the periphery of the slip sleeve 38. There are two sets ofthese sockets, one set to receive 'what we prefer to term downpressureslips, which are provided to resist dislodgement of the plugor packerfrom pressures above it, the other set of slips we prefer to termup-pressure slips which are provided to resist dislodgement of thedevice from pressures below the packer.

The inner surface of each socket 38 is formed with two parallel surfacesarranged one above the other and which are inclined with respect to thevertical axis of the slip sleeve. The inner surfaces of adjacent socketsare oppositely inclined so that the up-piessure and down-pressure slipswill be arranged alternately'about the slip sleeve 38. A slip 40 isprovided for each socket 39, and in this instance there are three11p-pressure slips and three down-pressure slips, there being sixsockets formed in the slip sleeve 38. It is to be understood, however,that we may provide a greater or lesser number of slips if founddesirable.

The inner surface of each slip is formed with parallel inclined surfaceswhich coincide with and are complemental to the inner surfaces of itssocket so 'that relative vertical movement between the slips and theslip sleeve 38 will result m radial movement of the slips.

At the junction between the inclined surfaces of the slip socket, thereis a lateral shoulder which coincides with a similar lateral shoulderbetween the inclined surfaces of the slip fitting the socket. Eachsocket is formed with a keyway 39a which is engaged by a key 40a formedon the slip. An expansion spring 4l is arranged in each socket and itabuts against the end of the keyway 39a at one end and against thelateral shoulder on the slip 40 at the other end so that when the slipis detached from the slip sleeve 38, the spring 4I will move the sliprelative to the slip This slip sleeve is bored so that it sleeve 38 andconsequently cause the slip to move radially outward. In the case of thedownpressure slips which we have indicated at A, the springs 4I willmove the slips upwardly relative to the slip sleeve 38 and in the caseof the up-pressure slips B, the springs 4l will move the slipsdownwardly relative to the slip sleeve 38. This movement of the slipscauses them to move r-adially outward and into engagement with thecasing.

Referring to Figure 1 where the parts are shown in the position whichthey assume when the device is run into the casing, it will be noticedthat the slips are arranged in their innermost position and that thedown-pressure slips are secured to the slip sleeve 38 by a shear pin 42while the up-pressure slips B are secured to the slip sleeve 38 by shearpins 43. It will also be seen from Figure 1 that when the parts are inrun-in condition of an assembly, that the springs 4| are under fullcompression.

When the slip sleeve 38 is assembled on the body Il prior to running thetool into the casing, it is secured to the body Il bya shear pin 44. Itwill also be noticed that within its lower end, the slip sleeve 38 isformed with an annular groove which receives a spring latch ring 46.This latch ring is adapted to engage the annular latch grooves 36hformed about the exterior surface of the body Il to latch the sleeve 38in posin tion on the body Il when the tool has been runin the casing andset.

For the purpose of running the tool into the casing, the upper end ofthe upperlbore 2| is formed with a left-hand -female thread to receivethe left-hand male thread 48 formed on the lower end of running-intubing 4,9. The purpose of the left-hand thread is to enable the tubing49 to be unscrewed from the body H after the tool has been tripped andset in the casing.

To trip the up-pressure slips B we provide an annular piston 55 mountedfor reciprocation coaxially of the body Il in an annular cylinder 56formed between the body l I and a cylinder head 51. The lower end ofthis piston when suiiicient fluid pressure is exerted thereon, engagesthe upper ends lof the up-pressure slips B and forces them downwardlyrelative to the slip sleeve 38 shearing the pins 43 and. enabling thesprings to move the slips B downwardly relative to the sleeve 38 andconsequently outwardly into engagement with the casing. A port 58 formsa communication between the upper chamber 2l and the cylinder 56.

In operation of the device it is constructed and assembled as shown inFigure 1. In this condition thevalve I5 will be unseated, the two setsof slips A and B will be in their innermost posi-A tion, and the packersleeve 33 will be fully contracted. The tool is then threaded on thelower end of the running-in tubing 49 and lowered into the casing.

eoA

It is obvious that due to the fact that the valve l5 is open, the devicecan be moved up and down in the casing without causing a swabbingaction.

When the device has been positioned at the desired point, the ti'ip ballvalve 21 is dropped through the tubing 49 and it will nd its seat on theseat 26 on the sleeve 24. Fluid pressure is then created in the tubing49 and in the interior of the body of body H above the sleeve 24. Thispump pressure is insuflcient to shear the pin 32 and move the trip ballvalve 21 and the sleeve 24 downwardly so as to permit the fluid to passthrough the body. l This fluid pressure, however,

' Thereafter this upward movement of the .body

`ton which engages all of the slips.

is suiiicient to move the piston 65 downwardly in the cylinder 56,engage the slips B and shear the pins 43 so thatthe springs 4I willplace the slips into engagement with the casing. This pressure isinsumcient to shear the pins of the slip sleeve 38.

The pump pressure iny the body II is then relieved andan upward strainis taken on the running-in tubing '49. The moment that the body IIcommences to move upwardly, the complemental faces between the socketsand the uppressure slips B Awill jamb ,the up-pressure slipsv into firmgripping engagement with the casing.

II is continued to a point where the engagement between the up-pressureslips B and the casing prevents further upward movement of the slipsleeve 38 so that continued upward movement of the body will shearvtheslip sleeve shear pins 44. The sliding ring 3 6, which will be movingupwardly together withv the body I-I,

will then engagethe projecting lower ends o f the down-pressure slips'Aand will shear the down-pressure slip shear pins 42. The springs 4I will'then immediately move the down-pressure slips A upwardly relative tothe slip sleeve 38, placing-them in engagement with the casing.

the interior of the casing.-

When this packer sleeve 33 has' been fully compressed, the latch ring 31in the sliding ring 36 will engage the proper latch groove 35a` in thebody II and latch the packer sleeve in compressed sealing position. lAtthe same time the latch ring 46 in the lower end of the slip sleeve 38will engage the proper latch groove 36a in the body II and latch theslip sleeve from upward movement relative to the body II. ,It is obviousthat at this time the parts of the packer or retainer will be. in thepositions shown in Figure 3 with the slips'in ilrm gripping engagementwith the casing and with the packer sleeve v33 compressed and forming aseal between the exterior of the body II and the casing.

Itis obvious from the previous description and from the drawings thatany vup-pressure built up in the casing below the retainer or packerwill tend to more tightly press the up-4 eit er from pressures above orpressures below.

It will be noticed that the down-pressure slips are provided withdownwardly extending wickers and that the up-pressure slips are providedwith upwardly directed wickers for gripping purposes.

We wish to call attention at this time to Fig- V ures 5. and 6 of thedrawings wherein we show a modified form of hydraulic medium fortrippingthe up-pressure slips. In'Flgures 5 and 6 we show` an individualcylinder and piston for each uppressuxe slip instead of an annular pis-A Reference being had to these figures, it will be seen that head 51 isformed with a vertical cylinder 51a4 in vertical alignment with eachup-pressure slip.

A piston 51h is mounted in each cylinder 51a' so y that when uidpressure is created through the tubing 49, this pressure will bearagainst the upper ends of the pistons 51h forcing them downwardly. Thisdownward movement shears the pins of the up-pressure slips andtrips theslips in the same manner as does thev annular piston shown in the otherfigures of the drawings.

After the packer or retainer has beenY fully set as previouslydescribed, fluid pressure is again created in the interior of the bodyII through the tubing 49. This pressure is considerably more than thefluid pressure rst created and is suflicient to shear the'pin 24aconnecting the sleeve 24 to the body -II and is also suflicient to shearthe pin 3 0 which'connects the trunnion 29 to the valve` stem head I6a.The sleeve 24 will then drop to an ineffecit will beheld in suchineffective position by radial ribs 20a inl such chamber. The momentthat the sleeve 24 is disconnected from the body I I and from the valvestem I6, the trip ball 21 becomes ineffective to prevent the passagedownwardly though the body II to the -valve port I2. Likewise the valveI5 is then free to seat on the seat I4. The device is then ready forcementing or repressuring operations. y

In cementing, cement slurry may be pumped downwardly throughv therunning-in tubing 49, thence through the body II opening the valve I5and discharging into the casing below the packer or retainer I0. In mostinstances, the casing is` perforated below the packer or retainer Il)sov that the cement may discharge outwardlyl through these perforationsand upwardly around the casing to'effect a seal between it and the wall,'of the hole. After the cementing operation has been completed, the backpressure of the cement will close the valve I5 which acts to prevent thecement from passing upwardly intol i tive'position within the lowerchamber 20' where the body II and into the casing or tubing above thebody. When the cementing operation has been completed, the running-.intubing 49 may be disconnected from the body II due to the. left-handscrew connection betweeny the two. The running-in tubing may then b epulled from the hole. We may prefer to use in connection with thiscement retainer or packer a circulating jar of any preferred type ordesign.

If, for any reason, it is desired to use 'this device as a bridge plugto prevent the passage of uid either upwardly through the casing ordownwardly therethrough, a bridge ball 5I is provided. This ball may bedropped throughthe running-in tubing 49 so that it will seat on thebridging valveseat 23. This/will prevent fluid from being pumpeddownwardly through the casing past the packer I8 orI upwardly throughthe casing past the packer I0.

From the foregoing it is obvious that we have provided a very eflicientcement retainer which may be set in a casing with a minimum of,operation and which will resist dislodgement either by pressures in thecasing above it or by pressures in the casing below it. We desire 'topoint/70 is that of repressuring oil sands. In such use, the packer isset in a casing which taps the oil sands to be repressured just abovethe perforated section of the casing. Gas under high pressure is thenforced downwardly through the running-in tubing 49 so that it willdischarge' through the port l2 by opening the back pressure valve I4.The gas will then pass into the oil l sands through the perforatedsection of the casing raising the pressure therein and driving the oilinto adjoining wells which also tap the sands. While we have shown thepreferred form of our device, it is to be understood that variouschanges may be made in its construction and in the combination of itsparts by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit ofthe invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent is: 1. An apparatus of the -character describedcomprising a hollow body adapted to be secured to the lower end of astring of tubing and lowered into a well casing, slips mounted on saidmember, means capable of being released connecting said slips to saidmember and maintaining them in an ineffective position, hydraulicallyactuated means incorporated in said body and operative to release saidmeans and thereby release said slips so that they may move to aneffective position.

2. An apparatus of the character described comprising a member to besecured to the lower end of a string of tubing and slips mounted on saidmember, cooperating means on the slips and member whereby relative axialmovement between the slips and said member will cause said slips to moveradially outward, means capable of beingr sheared connecting said slipsto said member and maintaining them in an ineffective position,hydraulically actuated means incorporated in said body and operative toshearisaid means and release said slips to permit them to move axiallyrelative to said member to an effective position.

3. An :apparatus -of the character described comprising a hollow memberto be secured to the lower end of a string of tubing, slips mounted onsaid member, cooperative means on the slips and member whereby relativeaxial movement between the slips and said member will move said slipsradially outward, shear means capable of being sheared connecting saidslips to said member and maintaining them in an ineifective position,spring means constantly tending to move said slips to an effectiveposition and hydraulically actuated means carried by said memberoperative to shear said shear means and release said slips so that saidspring means may move said slips axially relative to said member.

4. An apparatus of the character described comprising a member adaptedto be detachably connected to the lower end of a string of tubing, saidmember having a passageway formed longitudinally therethrough and incommunication with said tubing, a back pressure valve mounted in saidmember to control the passage of fluid through the lower end thereof,spring means constantly tending to maintain said valve closed, shearmeans normally maintaining said. valve open and hydraulic pressureactuated means for shearing said shear means to release the valve so asto enable the same to close.

5. An apparatus of the character described comprising a member adaptedto be connected to the lower end of a string of tubing and loweredthereby into a well casing, means carried by said member and operativeto secure said member to the casing, said member having a fluidconducting passageway extending from its upper end through its lower endand in communication with the interior of said tubing, a valve carriedby said member and capable of interrupting the upward ow of iluidthrough said passageway, means normally maintaining said valve in openposition, and fluid pressure actuated means for rendering the last namedmeans ineffective.

6. A device of the character described comprising a. member to bedetachably connected to the lower end of a string of tubing, meanscarried by said member and operative to secure said member in positionwithin awell casing, said member being hollow whereby fluid dischargedtherein through said tubing may pass downwardly through said member, vaspring pressed valve adapted to interrupt the ilow of fluid upwardlythrough the lower end of said member, said valve constantly `tending toseat, holding means normally holding said valve in open position, andfluid pressure actuated means for rendering said holding meansineil'ective and permitting said valve to close.

7. A device of the character described comprising a hollow memberadapted to be connected to the lower end of a string of tubing, slipsmounted on said member, cooperative means on said slips and memberwhereby relative axial movement between slips and member will cause saidslips to move radially outward with respect to said member, shear meansconnecting said slips to said member in ineffective positions, aback-pressure valve carried by said member capable of preventing theflow of fluid upwardly through the lower end thereof, said valveconstantly tending to seat, shear means normally hold-ing said valvev inopen position, hydraulically actuated" means fr shearing said shearmeans and releasing said valve so that the same may close, andhydraulically actuated means for shearing said shear means and releasingsaid slips so'that the same may -move axially relative to said member,the last named hydraulic means requ'lring lesser hydraulic pressure torelease said slips than the pressure required to release said valve.

8. An apparatus of the character described comprising a hollow member tobe connected to the lower end of a string of tubing, a first set ofslips mounted on said member, a second set of slips mounted on saidmemb'er, cooperative means between said slips and on said lmemberwhereby relative axial movement between Asaid -member and said slipswill move said slips radially outward, shear means connecting said slipsto said member in ineffective positions, hydraulicallyA actuated meansoperative to shear said means of the rst set of slips so that they maymove to an eiective position, and means operative upon subsequentmovement of said member upwardly to shear the shear means of the secondnamed slips to release the same.

9. An apparatus of the characterl described comprising a hollow memberadapted to be detachably connected to the lower end of a string oftubing, a first setl of slips mounted on said member and a second set ofslips mounted on said member, spring means associated with said meansand said member and constantly tending to move -said slips axiallyrelative to said slips to move of the .ilrst set of slips, and means onsaid member and operative upon upward movement of said member subsequentto the shearing of the shear means on the ilrst set of. slips to engagethe second set of slips and shear the shear means thereof to release thesame.

10. An apparatus of the character described comprising a hollow memberto be connected'to the lower end of a string of tubing, a first set ofslips mounted on saidmember, a second set of slips mountedon saidmember, cooperative means between said slips and on said member wherebyrelative axial movement between said member and said slips will movesaid slips radially outward, shear means connecting said slips to saidmember in ineiective positions, hydraulically actuated means operated toshear said means of the first set o! slips so that they may move to aneiective position, and means operative uponsubsequent movement of saidmember upwardly to shear the shear means of the second named slips torelease the same, the lower end of said member being lformed with avalve port, a valve cooperating with said port to close the same, meansnormally maintaining said valve in `open* position and hydraulicalyactuated means for rendering said means ineffective.

11. An apparatus of the character described comprising a hollowcylindrical member adapted to-be connected at-its upper end to the lowerend of a string of tubing and lowered thereby into a string of-wellcasing, -a set of slips at the exterior of said member, coincidingangular faces on said slips land member whereby relative axial movementbetween said member and slips will move said slips radially outward'intoengagement with the casing, means for detachably connecting said slipsto the member to maintain the slips in V ineffective position andhydraulic pressure actuated means for detaching said slips from themember, and spring means associated with the slips and member constantlytending to cause relative axial movementbetween the slipsand said memberthereby causing said Slips to move radially outward into engagement withthe casing.

12. An apparatus of the character described lcomprising a hollowcylindrical member adapted to be connected at its upper end to the lowerend of a string of tubing and lowered thereby into a string of wellcasing, a set of slips at the exterior of said member, coincidingangular i'aces on said slips and member whereby relative axial movementbetween said member and slips will move said slips radially outward intoengagement with the casing, means for detachably connecting said slipsto the member to maintain the slips in ineffective position andhydraulic pressure actuated meansincorporated in said member fordetaching said slips from thev member,and spring means associated withthe slips and member constantly tending to cause relative axial movementbetween the slips and said member. thereby causing said slips to moveradially outward into engagement with the casing, normally ineffectivepacking means mounted on the member and capable oi' being expanded intopacking engagement with the interior of the well casing subsequent tothe releasing of said slips.

`13. An apparatus of the character described comprising a hollowcylindrical member adapted to be connected at its upper end to the lowerend.

of a string of tubing and lowered thereby into a string oi well casing,a set of slips at the exterior slips and member whereby relative axialmovement between said member and slips will move said slips radiallyoutward into engagement with the casing, means for detachablyconnecting-said slipsto the member to maintain the slips in ineffectiveposition and hydraulically actuated means incorporated in said memberfor detaching said slips from the member, and spring means associatedwiththe slips and member constantly tending to cause relative axialmovement between the slips and said member thereby causing said slips tomove radially outward intoengagement retained in an ineiective position,a piston carried by the body and operatively associated with said firstgripping means and operative in response to fluid pressure built up insaid bodyto Imove` said rst gripping means to operative position, secondgripping means carried by the body and normally held in an ineffectiveposition, means carried by the body and associated with said secondgripping means to cause the same to move to an yeiective position uponaxial movement of the body in the casing subsequent to the rst grippingmeans being moved to an effective position, and means'carried by th bodyand associated with both of said gripping means to move both of saidgripping means radially outward with respect to the casing upon axialmovement of the body in the casing.

15. An apparatus of the character described comprising a hollow bodyadapted to be lowered into a well bore, up-pressure slips carried by thebody, complemental means formed on said slips and body whereby relativelongitudinal movement between the body and slips will move said slipsradially outward with respect to said body, a piston carried by the bodyand operatively associated with the slips vand operative in response tofluid 'pressure built up in a body to move said up-pressure slipslongitudinally relative to the body into operative position, said bodybeing axially moved thereafter to set said u1u-pressure slips,downpressure slips carried by the body, complemental mounted at theexterior of the body and normally means formed on said down-pressureslips and on the body whereby relative longitudinal movement between thebody and vsaid down-pressure slips will move the latter radially outwardwith respect to the body, means normally retaining said downpressureslips in an ineffective position, said -means being capable of beingreleased by axial movement of the-body to set said up-pressure slips,radialmovement of the'fdown-pressure slips with respect to the bodybeing eected by axial movement of the body in a direction opposite thatrequiredA to set the up-pressure slips.

v 16. An apparatus of the character described comprising a hollow body4adapted to,be lowered into a well bore at the end of a drill stem, aplurality of slips arranged about the perimeter of, the body, shearmeans normally holding said slips in .an ineffective position,compiemental meanson the slips and body whereby movement of said slipslongitudinally relative to the body will move said slips radiallyoutward with respect to the body, a cylinder formed in the body. apiston therein, said piston being operatively associated with the slipsto move the same relative to the body in response to fluid pressurebuilt up within the body.

17. An apparatus of the character described comprising a hollow bodyadapted to be lowered into a'well bore at the end of a drill stem, aplurality of slips arrange'd about the perimeter of the body, shearmeans normally holding said slips in an ineffective position,complemental means on the slips and body whereby movement of said slipslongitudinal-relative to the body will move said slips radially-outwardwith respect to the body, a cylinder formed inthe body, a. pistontherein, said piston being operatively associated with the slips to movethe same relative to the body in response to fluid pressure built upwithin the body, said piston and cylinder being of annular shape, and apacking member carried by the body and capable of being expandedsubsequent to thesetting of the slips.

18. An apparatus of the character described comprising a hollow bodyadapted to be secured to the lower end of a string of tubing and loweredinto a well casing, gripping means carried by said member, meansnormally holding said gripping means in an ineffective position,hydraulically actuated means incorporated in said body and operative torelease said casing gripping means so that the same may assume aneffective position,

said body having a fluid passageway formed Y therethrough, a valve seatformed in said passageway, and a valve member adapted to be positionedafter the said body has been positioned in a well casing to seat on saidseat and prevent the fiow of fluid downwardly through said passageway.

19. An apparatus of the character described comprising va hollow bodyadapted to be secured to the lower end of a string of tubing and loweredinto a well casing, a plurality of slips mounted on said body at theexterior thereof, means capable of being released connecting said slipsto said body and maintaining them in an ineffective position,complemental means on said slips and said v'body whereby relativemovement between the slips and said body will cause said slips to moveradially outward wit-A respect to the body, hydraulically actuated meansincorporated in said body and operative to release said means andVthereby release said slips so that they may move relative to the body,said body having a fluid conducting passageway formed longitudinallytherethrough, a valve seat in said passageway, a valve member adapted tobe positioned after said vbody has been lowered into a well casing toseat on said seat and prevent the flow of uid downwardly through saidpassageway.

20. An apparatus of the character described comprising a hollow bodyadapted to be lowered into a cased well bore, rst casing gripping meansmounted at the exterior of the body and normally retained in anineffective position, a piston carried by the body and operativelyassociated with said first gripping means and operative in response touid pressure built up in said body to move said first gripping means tooperative position. second gripping means carried by the body andnormally held in an ineffective position, means carried by the body andassociated with said second gripping means to cause the same to move toan effectivel position upon axial movement of the body in the casingsubsequent to the first gripping means being moved to an effectiveposition, and means carried by the body1 and associated with both of.said gripping means to move both of said gripping means radiallyoutward with respect to the casing upon axial movement of the-body inthe casing, and normally ineffective packing means carried by the body,said packing means being adapted to become effective to form a sealbetween the body and the casing during the axial movement of the body.expanding said first-named gripping means and moving said second-namedgripping means to effective position.

21. An apparatus of the character described comprising a hollow bodyadapted to be lowered into a well bore, up-pressure slips carried by thebody, complemental means formed on said slips and body whereby relativelongitudinal movement between the body and slips will move said slipsradially outward with respect to said body, a piston carried by the bodyand operatively associated with the slips and operative in response tofluid pressure built up in a body to move said up-pressure slipslongitudinally relative tothe body into operative position, said bodybeing axially moved thereafter to set said up-pressure slips,down-pressure slips carried by the body, complemental means formed onsaid down-pressure slips and on the body whereby relative longitudinalmovement between the body and said down-pressure slips will move thelatter radially outward with respect to the body, means normallyretaining said down-pressure slips in an neffective position, said meansbeing capable of being released by axial movement of the body to set Asaid up-pressure slips, radial movement of the down -pressure slips withrespect to the body being effected by axial movementof the body in adirection opposite that required to set the uppressure slips, andnormally ineffective packing means carried by the bodycapable ofv beingrendered effective to create a seal between the exterior of the body andthe well casing upon the axial movement of the body utilized to set saidup-pressure slips.

22. An apparatus of the character described comprising a hollow bodyadapted to be lowered into a cased well bore at the end of a string'oftubing, a plurality of slips arrangedeabout the perimeter of the body,means normally holding said slips in an ineffective position,complemental means on the slips and body whereby movement of said slipslongitudinally relative to the body will move said slips radiallyoutward with respect to the body, a cylinder formed in the body, apiston therein, said piston being operatively associated with the slipsto release said means normally holding said slips in an ineffectiveposition in response to fluid pressure built up within the body, saidcomplemental means acting upon the release of the slips .to position thesame in an effective position whereupon upward movement of the body willset said slips, a normally ineffective packing member carried by thebody and adapted to berendered effective to form a. seal between thebody and the casing upon the axial upward movement of the body utilizedto set said slips.

23. A device of the character described including a body adapted tocommunicate with and to be connected to the lower end of a string oftubing and lowered into a well bore, a member slidably mounted on theexterior of said body` for movement longitudinally thereof, slipsarranged about the exterior of said member, complementary means on .saidslips and said member whereby relative movement therebetween in onedirection will move said slips radially outward, an expansible chambersupported by said body and communicating therewith, said member beingresponsive to fluid pressure built up in said chamber and bodybypressure of the drilling iiuid within the string of tubing to movelongitudinally relative to the body and slips to move the latterradially outward.

24. A device of the character described including a rigid body adaptedto communicate with and to be connected to the lower end of, a string ofrunning-in tubing and lowered into a well bore, a cone member slidablymounted on the exterior of said body and capable of movementlongitudinally with lrespect thereto, segmental slips arranged at theexterior of said cone member and having cone faces complementary to theconical face of said cone member, whereby longitudinal movement of theconel member relative 4 to the slips will move the latter radiallyoutward,

said cone member being responsive to fluid pressure built up in the bodyby the pressure of the drilling fluid within the running-in tubing tomove longitudinally relative thereto and to the slips to move thelatter, radially outward.

25. A device of the character described comprising a body adapted to beconnected to the lower end of a string of, tubing and lowered into a.well bore, tapered means presenting oppositely inclined externalsurfaces on the exterior of said body, releasably retracted slip meansrelatively movable with respect to said tapered means, and said slipmeans having surfaces complementary to those of said tapered meanswhereby relative movement therebetween will urge said slip meansoutward, an expansible chamber for actuating one of said means supportedby said body in communication with said tubing, one of said means beingmovable into engagement with the wall of said bore upon expansion of,said chamber and means for directing i'luid pressure from within saidtubing to expand said chamber to eiiect relativemovement between saidtapered means and said slip means to move the latter radially outward.

26. A device of the character described including a body adapted tocommunicate with and to be connected to the lower end of a string oftubing and lowered into a well bore, tapered means mounted on theexterior of said body, slip means having complementary tapered surfacesarranged about the exterior of said tapered means whereby relativemovement therebetween in one direction will move said slip meansradially outward, shear means holding said slip means in normallyretracted position, an expansible chamber for actuating one of saidmeans supported by said body and communicating therewith, and means fordirecting fluid pressure from within said tubing into said expansiblechamber to fracture said shear means and move said slip means outward.

27. An apparatus of the character described comprising a body having apassage continuous throughout its length adapted to be lowered into awell bore, gripping means mounted on the exterior of the bodylongitudinally and radially movable with respect thereto, means normallyretaining said gripping means in an ineffective position, a pistoncarried by the body for actuating said gripping means, the passage inthe body being unobstructed to permit uid to pass therethrough, andmeans for directing iiuid pressure built up in said body to said pistonto move said gripping means to operative position.

28. An apparatus of the character described comprising a hollow bodyhaving an unobstructed passage continuous throughout its length adaptedto be lowered into a well bore, gripping means mounted on the exteriorof the body longitudinal-` ly and radially movable with respect thereto,means normally retaining said gripping means in an ineiective position,a piston carried by said body and having its active surface offset fromthe axis of said body, said piston being operatively associated withsaidgripping means and operative in response to iluid pressure built up inAsaid body to'move said gripping means to operative position, and meanfor directing fluid under. pressure from said body to `said piston.

29. An'apparatus of the character described comprising a hollow bodyhaving a continuous passage extending therethrough adapted to be loweredinto a well bore, a plurality of slips carried by the body, complementalmeans formed on the slips and body whereby relative longitudinalmovement between the body and slips will move said slips radiallyoutward with respect to said body, a piston carried by said body havingits active surface radially spaced from the axis of said body andoperatively yassociated with the slips and operative iny response to uidpressure built up in the body to move said slips longitudinally relativeto the body, and means for directing fluid under pressure from said body`to said piston.

i 30. An apparatus of the character described comprising a body having acontinuous passage` extending therethrough adapted to be lowered into awell bore, a plurality of slips carried by the body, complementa] meansformed on the slips and body whereby relative longitudinal movementbetween the body and slips will move said slips radially outward withrespect to said body, a piston carried by the body for actuating saidslips, the passage in the body being unobstructed to permit fluid topass therethrough, and means for directing iiuid under pressure builtupl in said body to said piston to move said slips longitudinallyrelative to the body.

31. An apparatus of the character described comprising a hollow bodyhaving a continuous passage extending therethrough adapted to be securedto the lower end of a string of tubing and lowered into a well casing,releasably retracted slip means adapted for radial movement mounted onsaid body, normally retracted packer means adapted for radial movementmounted on said body in cooperation with said slip means and means forbuilding upv fluid pressure within said body for actuation oi one ofsaid means adapted for radial movement.

32. An apparatus of the character described comprising a hollow bodyadapted to be securedto the lower end of a running-in line and loweredinto a well bore, slips mounted on said body in` normally retractedposition and longitudinallyv THMAS M. RAGAN. CLARENCE E. BURT.

